SISTER RITA HEENAN
Sister Rita, formerly Sister St. Roche, was born on April 19, 1922, in Biddulph Township, Ontario and joined the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 3, 1949 at Sacred Heart Convent, London.
Already a registered nurse when she entered the community, Sr. Rita received a M.Sc. Nursing degree and was a teacher and Director of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in London from 1946-1969. In the following years and throughout her long ministry in health care, she was assigned administrative duties in Sarnia’s St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital and Marian Villa in London where she later volunteered in pastoral services. Most recently, Sister Rita assisted in caring for her sister Genevieve in Lucan. Sister Rita will be remembered for her devotion to prayer, dedication to duty and love for family and community.